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Chapter 31

Hope for the Heathen

Throughout his ministry Isaiah bore a plain testimony
concerning God's purpose for the heathen. Other
prophets had made mention of the divine plan, but their
language was not always understood. To Isaiah it was given
to make very plain to Judah the truth that among the
Israel of God were to be numbered many who were not
descendants of Abraham after the flesh. This teaching was
not in harmony with the theology of his age, yet he
fearlessly proclaimed the messages given him of God and
brought hope to many a longing heart reaching out after
the spiritual blessings promised to the seed of Abraham.

The apostle to the Gentiles, in his letter to the believers
in Rome, calls attention to this characteristic of Isaiah's
teaching. "Isaiah is very bold," Paul declares, "and saith, I
was found of them that sought Me not; I was made manifest
unto them that asked not after Me." Romans 10:20.

Often the Israelites seemed unable or unwilling to
understand God's purpose for the heathen. Yet it was this very

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purpose that had made them a separate people and had
established them as an independent nation among the
nations of the earth. Abraham, their father, to whom the
covenant promise was first given, had been called to go forth
from his kindred, to the regions beyond, that he might
be a light bearer to the heathen. Although the promise to
him included a posterity as numerous as the sand by the
sea, yet it was for no selfish purpose that he was to become
the founder of a great nation in the land of Canaan. God's
covenant with him embraced all the nations of earth. "I
will bless thee," Jehovah declared, "and make thy name
great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them
that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee
shall all families of the earth be blessed." Genesis 12:2, 3.

In the renewal of the covenant shortly before the birth
of Isaac, God's purpose for mankind was gain made plain.
"All the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him," was
the assurance of the Lord concerning the child of promise.
Genesis 18:18. And later the heavenly visitant once more
declared, "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be
blessed." Genesis 22:18.

The all-embracing terms of this covenant were familiar
to Abraham's children and to his children's children. It
was in order that the Israelites might be a blessing to the
nations, and that God's name might be made known
"throughout all the earth" (Exodus 9:16), that they were
delivered from Egyptian bondage. If obedient to His requirements,
they were to be placed far in advance of other peoples
in wisdom and understanding; but this supremacy was to

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be reached and maintained only in order that through them
the purpose of God for "all nations of the earth" might be
fulfilled.

The marvelous providences connected with Israel's
deliverance from Egyptian bondage and with their occupancy
of the Promised Land led many of the heathen to recognize
the God of Israel as the Supreme Ruler. "The Egyptians
shall know," had been the promise, "that I am the Lord,
when I stretch forth Mine hand upon Egypt, and bring
out the children of Israel from among them." Exodus 7:5.
Even proud Pharaoh was constrained to acknowledge Jehovah's
power. "Go, serve the Lord," he urged Moses and
Aaron, "and bless me also." Exodus 12:31, 32.

The advancing hosts of Israel found that knowledge of
the mighty workings of the God of the Hebrews had gone
before them, and that some among the heathen were learning
that He alone was the true God. In wicked Jericho the
testimony of a heathen woman was, "The Lord your
God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath."
Joshua 2:11. The knowledge of Jehovah that had thus
come to her, proved her salvation. By faith "Rahab perished
not with them that believed not." Hebrews 11:31. And
her conversion was not an isolated case of God's mercy
toward idolaters who acknowledged His divine authority.
In the midst of the land a numerous people--the Gibeonites
--renounced their heathenism and united with Israel, sharing
in the blessings of the covenant.

No distinction on account of nationality, race, or caste,
is recognized by God. He is the Maker of all mankind.

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All men are of one family by creation, and all are one
through redemption. Christ came to demolish every wall
of partition, to throw open every compartment of the temple
courts, that every soul may have free access to God.
His love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates
everywhere. It lifts out of Satan's influence those who have
been deluded by his deceptions, and places them within
reach of the throne of God, the throne encircled by the
rainbow of promise. In Christ there is neither Jew nor
Greek, bond nor free.

In the years that followed the occupation of the Promised
Land, the beneficent designs of Jehovah for the salvation
of the heathen were almost wholly lost sight of, and it
became necessary for Him to set forth His plan anew. "All
the ends of the world," the psalmist was inspired to sing,
"shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the
kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee."
"Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch
out her hands unto God." "The heathen shall fear the name
of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory."
"This shall be written for the generation to come: and the
people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. For
He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary;
from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the
groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed
to death; to declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and
His praise in Jerusalem; when the people are gathered
together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord." Psalms
22:27; 68:31; 102:15, 18-22.

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Had Israel been true to her trust, all the nations of earth
would have shared in her blessings. But the hearts of those
to whom had been entrusted a knowledge of saving truth,
were untouched by the needs of those around them. As God's
purpose was lost sight of, the heathen came to be looked
upon as beyond the pale of His mercy. The light of truth
was withheld, and darkness prevailed. The nations were
overspread with a veil of ignorance; the love of God was
little known; error and superstition flourished.

Such was the prospect that greeted Isaiah when he was
called to the prophetic mission; yet he was not discouraged,
for ringing in his ears was the triumphal chorus of the
angels surrounding the throne of God, "The whole earth
is full of His glory." Isaiah 6:3. And his faith was strengthened
by visions of glorious conquests by the church of God,
when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea." Isaiah 11:9. "The face of the
covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread
over all nations," was finally to be destroyed. Isaiah 25:7.
The Spirit of God was to be poured out upon all flesh. Those
who hunger and thirst after righteousness were to be
numbered among the Israel of God. "They shall spring up
as among the grass, as willows by the watercourses," said
the prophet. "One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another
shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall
subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname
himself by the name of Israel." Isaiah 44:4, 5.

To the prophet was given a revelation of the beneficent
design of God in scattering impenitent Judah among the

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nations of earth. "My people shall know My name," the
Lord declared; "they shall know in that day that I am He
that doth speak." Isaiah 52:6. And not only were they
themselves to learn the lesson of obedience and trust; in
their places of exile they were also to impart to others a
knowledge of the living God. Many from among the sons
of the strangers were to learn to love Him as their Creator
and their Redeemer; they were to begin the observance of
His holy Sabbath day as a memorial of His creative power;
and when He should make "bare His holy arm in the eyes
of all the nations," to deliver His people from captivity,
"all the ends of the earth" should see of the salvation of God.
Verse 10. Many of these converts from heathenism would
wish to unite themselves fully with the Israelites and accompany
them on the return journey to Judea. None of these
were to say, "The Lord hath utterly separated me from His
people" (Isaiah 56:3), for the word of God through His
prophet to those who should yield themselves to Him and
observe His law was that they should thenceforth be
numbered among spiritual Israel--His church on earth.

"The sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the
Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to
be His servants, everyone that keepeth the Sabbath from
polluting it, and taketh hold of My covenant; even them
will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful
in My house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their
sacrifices shall be accepted upon Mine altar; for Mine house
shall be called an house of prayer for all people. The Lord
God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will

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I gather others to Him, beside those that are gathered unto
Him." Verses 6-8.

The prophet was permitted to look down the centuries
to the time of the advent of the promised Messiah. At first
he beheld only "trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish."
Isaiah 8:22. Many who were longing for the light of truth
were being led astray by false teachers into the bewildering
mazes of philosophy and spiritism; others were placing
their trust in a form of godliness, but were not bringing true
holiness into the life practice. The outlook seemed hopeless;
but soon the scene changed, and before the eyes of the
prophet was spread a wondrous vision. He saw the Sun of
Righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and, lost in
admiration, he exclaimed: "The dimness shall not be such
as was in her vexation, when at the first He lightly afflicted
the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward
did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond
Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked
in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the
land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light
shined." Isaiah 9:1,2.

This glorious Light of the world was to bring salvation
to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Of the work
before Him, the prophet heard the eternal Father declare:
"It is a light thing that Thou shouldest be My servant to
raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of
Israel: I will also give Thee for a light to the Gentiles, that
Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth."
"In an acceptable time have I heard Thee, and in a day of

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salvation have I helped Thee: and I will preserve Thee,
and give Thee for a covenant of the people, to establish
the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; that
Thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that
are in darkness, Show yourselves." "Behold, these shall
come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from
the west; and these from the land of Sinim." Isaiah 49:6,
8,9,12.

Looking on still farther through the ages, the prophet
beheld the literal fulfillment of these glorious promises.
He saw the bearers of the glad tidings of salvation going
to the ends of the earth, to every kindred and people. He
heard the Lord saying of the gospel church, "Behold, I
will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the
Gentiles like a flowing stream;" and he heard the
commission, "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch
forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen
thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break
forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall
inherit the Gentiles." Isaiah 66:12; 54:2, 3.

Jehovah declared to the prophet that He would send
His witnesses "unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud,
. . . to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off." Isaiah 66:19.

"How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,
That publisheth peace;
That bringeth good tidings of good,
That publisheth salvation;
That saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"
Isaiah 52:7.

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The prophet heard the voice of God calling His church
to her appointed work, that the way might be prepared for
the ushering in of His everlasting kingdom. The message
was unmistakably plain:

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come,
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And gross darkness the people:
But the Lord shall arise upon thee,
And His glory shall be seen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light,
And kings to the brightness of thy rising.

"Lift up thine eyes round about, and see:
All they gather themselves together, they come to thee:
Thy sons shall come from far,
And thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side."

"And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls,
And their kings shall minister unto thee:
For in My wrath I smote thee,
But in My favor have I had mercy on thee.
Therefore thy gates shall be open continually;
They shall not be shut day nor night;
That men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles,
And that their kings may be brought."

"Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth:
For I am God, and there is none else."
Isaiah 60:1-4, 10, 11;45:22.

These prophecies of a great spiritual awakening in a time
of gross darkness are today meeting fulfillment in the advancing
lines of mission stations that are reaching out into the
benighted regions of earth. The groups of missionaries
in heathen lands have been likened by the prophet to ensigns

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set up for the guidance of those who are looking for the
light of truth.

"In that day," says Isaiah, "there shall be a root of Jesse,
which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall
the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. And it
shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His
hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His
people. . . . And He shall set up an ensign for the nations,
and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together
the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."
Isaiah 11:10-12.

The day of deliverance is at hand. "The eyes of the Lord
run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself
strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect
toward Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9. Among all nations, kindreds,
and tongues, He sees men and women who are praying
for light and knowledge. Their souls are unsatisfied;
long have they fed on ashes. See Isaiah 44:20. The enemy
of all righteousness has turned them aside, and they grope
as blind men. But they are honest in heart and desire to
learn a better way. Although in the depths of heathenism,
with no knowledge of the written law of God nor of His
Son Jesus, they have revealed in manifold ways the working
of a divine power on mind and character.

At times those who have no knowledge of God aside
from that which they have received under the operations
of divine grace have been kind to His servants, protecting
them at the risk of their own lives. The Holy Spirit is
implanting the grace of Christ in the heart of many a noble

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seeker after truth, quickening his sympathies contrary to
his nature, contrary to his former education. The "Light,
which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John
1:9), is shining in his soul; and this Light, if heeded, will
guide his feet to the kingdom of God. The prophet Micah
said: "When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto
me. . . . He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall
behold His righteousness." Micah 7:8, 9.

Heaven's plan of salvation is broad enough to embrace
the whole world. God longs to breathe into prostrate humanity
the breath of life. And He will not permit any soul to

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be disappointed who is sincere in his longing for something
higher and nobler than anything the world can offer.
Constantly He is sending His angels to those who, while
surrounded by circumstances the most discouraging, pray in
faith for some power higher than themselves to take possession
of them and bring deliverance and peace. In various
ways God will reveal Himself to them and will place them
in touch with providences that will establish their confidence
in the One who has given Himself a ransom for all,
"that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the
works of God, but keep His commandments." Psalm 78:7.

"Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful
captive delivered?" "Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives
of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the
terrible shall be delivered." Isaiah 49:24, 25. "They shall
be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say
to the molten images, Ye are our gods." Isaiah 42:17.

"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,
whose hope is in the Lord his God!" Psalm 146:5. "Turn
you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope!" Zechariah 9:12.
Unto all the honest in heart in heathen lands--"the upright"
in the sight of Heaven--"there ariseth light in the darkness."
Psalm 112:4. God hath spoken: "I will bring the blind by
a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that
they have not known: I will make darkness light before
them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do
unto them, and not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16.